The second annual indie / electro fest highlights emerging sounds from the Four Corners area during a free two-day music showcase in Shiprock, N.M. The fest is organized by micro-labels Teenage Sewage and Deadrezkids Records, Golizhe Productions and Gallup community radio station KNIZ-FM 90.1. Friday night is electro, noise and experimental-focused; highlights include Farmington-based electro act Dan K. and Navajo Nation-based Discotays' side projects Four Older Sisters and Plantagent Cherokee. On Saturday, performers bring the acoustic, ska and punk, with sets by Tsaile, Ariz.-based Chuska Terror Unit and Denver-based Sara Century among others. For the full schedule, lineup and directions, visit tinyurl.com/iefest2012. (Samantha Anne Carrillo)

Slithery, squirmy, sticky, scary.The alliterations are endless when it comes to creatures that send shivers up our spines and goosebumps down our legs. This weekend, the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden reveals itsCreeping, Crawling and Carnivorous Show, featuring bugs and reptiles from around the world. Discover how these critters are a vital part of our natural environment, from venomous snakes and scorpions to slick lizards and the hairiest of tarantulas. This is the perfect opportunity to come down with a good case of the willies this Halloween season and learn at the same time. Cost of the show is included with park admission. (Emily Aragon)

Native to Central and South America, the tree and its bean conquered Europe—and the rest of the wide world. Pictures of the confectionary form of chocolate will send us scampering to the nearest gas station for a little taste. It's not clear when humans first started consuming cacao, but it was centuries before 0 b.c. In 1502, Christopher Columbus' son, Ferdinand, marveled at the care with which Native Americans handled the beans: "When any of these almonds fell, they all stooped to pick it up, as if an eye had fallen." Turns out, ignorant Ferdo didn't realize cacao beans were currency in some parts of Central America. Follow your chocolate-loving heart to this ancient human pleasure at the Big Top Chocolate Festival. Truffles, candies, teas, coffee and live music await. Entry is $10 for adults and $1 for kids under 12. (Marisa Demarco)